From GFNY win to Olympic Champion

Written by jenna on .

Mass participation cycling races should be essential part of talent discovery and development

Austrian Anna Kiesenhofer won the 2015 GFNY Mont Ventoux in a dominating manner, beating a pro cyclist by over 45 min.

After seeing her stunning power and performance, GFNY co-founder Uli Fluhme convinced her to try her luck as a pro cyclist. However, initially all attempts to find a team willing to hire her were fruitless.

A year later, Kiesenhofer signed with a Belgian pro team but the style of circuit racing didn’t suit her strengths. She quit the team and focused on her career as a mathematician.

In 2019, Kiesenhofer returned to racing, won the Austrian TT championship and was selected for the Olympics.

Yesterday, she won the women’s road race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“Anna is a classic example why the current structure in cycling is broken and why mass participation cycling races like gran fondos should be one of the pillars of discovering and developing future pros,” says Uli Fluhme.

“Speed and explosiveness are heavily overweighed compared to endurance in junior and amateur road racing. This style of racing neither prepares riders for the courses they have to race as pros, nor does it offer endurance talent an equal chance to be seen as a prospect for a pro career.”

GFNY CEO, Uli Fluhme, has illustrated the role of gran fondos for pro cyclists in two recent articles:

Rethinking Cycling’s Future– A pragmatic proposal for the sport we love.

Granfondo – The Future Path of Pro Cycling

The third chapter will lay out why mass participation cycling races should be step-stones to a pro cycling career.

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Peru video: here
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY PERU // GFNY Gruppo. Resumen de carrera

In today’s show:

Welcome to GFNY GRUPPO, a channel made to bring to you all the news about the GFNY world.

  • GFNY Peru highlights
  • We share the expo, the course and some of our experience

Bienvenidos a GFNY GRUPPO, un canal para mostrarles todo el mundo de GFNY.

  • Destacados de GFNY Peru
  • La expo, la carrera y un poco de nuestra experiencia

 

 

 

GFNY announces GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet

GFNY tackles Tourmalet

On June 12, 2022 you get to tackle the iconic Col du Tourmalet at the new race: GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet.

Col du Tourmalet (alt. 2115m) is the most-used mountain pass by the Tour de France and among the most important and famous cycling mountains in the world. It was first used at the Tour in 1910. Watch the climb at the Tour today and race it yourself on June 12, 2022!
Lourdes is the largest Marian pilgrimage destination in the world. Approximately 5,000,000 pilgrims visit Lourdes each year to visit the Sanctuaries Notre-Dame de Lourdes, which contains the Grotto and churches.
Besides the Roman Catholic pilgrimage, Lourdes is famous for its historical architecture. It has been inhabited for over 2000 years and holds historical artifacts, monuments and buildings. Atop a rocky embarkment in the center of Lourdes, lies the Château Fort de Lourdes, a fortified castle that is 1000 years old.
Lourdes offers direct access to stunning Pyrenees nature like Pont d’Espagne at the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, where you can see exceptional wildlife and plants. Pic du Midi de Bigorre (alt. 2877m) has panoramic terraces, or visit the Pic du Jer for a dramatic overview of Lourdes and scenic hiking. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in and near Lourdes. You could also check out Halles of Lourdes, the covered market, or simply relax and enjoy the fine Occitanie cuisine.

THE COURSE

On the long course of GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet, you leave Lourdes and the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes quickly behind to conquer one of the holy cycling grounds: the 2115m-high Col du Tourmalet.

The first 15km are mostly flat, which will make for a nice warm-up. After the village of Villelongue, you will begin the nearly 30km-long ascent over one of the most famous climbs in the world. The first 13km climbs gradually, with a few steeper pitches and descents.

At km 28, in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, the climbing gets serious, with the final 18km to the top of Col du Tourmalet averaging 7.2%. The best of the best climb it in under one hour, but it will take you up to two hours to reach its revered top with amazing views.

After a 30km descent, the town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre marks the beginning of a challenging last third of the course. The 6km-long Col de la Saoucede and 3km-long Cap de Germs in the Pyrenean foothills are easy on paper, compared to Tourmalet. But given that you just climbed Tourmalet and both climbs have sections in the double digit percent steepness, they will leave a mark on your legs and mind.

While the whole course may seem short, with just over 100km in length, it’s the combination of the high altitude Tourmalet and 2800m of climbing that make this course a true GFNY. Back in Lourdes, the post-race celebrations will await you.

Long Route – 107km

 

Medium Route – 55km

 

 

GETTING THERE


Airport Map GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet

Traveling to Lourdes is a smooth experience. The South of France offers many travel options with multiple nearby airports, an extensive railway network and great road infrastructure. 
The fastest trip from outside Europe is flying via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Tarbes-Lourdes (LDE) or Pau-Pyrenees (PUF). From CDG, take the TGV train (several connections to Lourdes). From LDE or PUF, take a taxi or rent a car.
Distances to Lourdes from nearby airports:
LDE (15km) – driving time 0:15
PUF (65km) – driving time 0:45 
BIQ (170km) – driving time 1:35
TLS (180m) – driving time 1:45

 

Lourdes Tourism Picture

 

 

Chapter 4: Travel to European GFNYs in 2021, and 2022

In this video:

  • Document checklist: passport, UCI license or medical certificate, vaccination card, covid test
  • Vive GFNY France! Feature of GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet
  • Traveling to GFNY France via Paris CDG airport
  • Traveling to GFNY Italia  via Rome FCO or Florence FLR airports
  • Where to stay: GFNY official hotels, splitting house costs among your group
  • How to pay: credit cards, debit cards, cash

 

This is for you if you:

  • are exploring a trip to a GFNY Europe race in 2021 or 2022
  • have traveled to Europe but need to understand the ”new normal” associated with travel
  • have not traveled extensively to Europe and look for a few tips
  • just need an ”easy” button on finding the resources you need to be able to travel with confidence

 

Later in the series:

  • Planning transfers and post-race travel
  • What to bring – packing for success
  • Essential resources

           

Check out all GFNY France races here!

 

In case you missed it:

Listen to the podcast:

Daily coffee with GFNY – How to travel in 2021 to Europe for GFNY

 

 

Part 10

Part 11

 

 

GFNY tackles Tourmalet

Written by jenna on .

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series expands its French portfolio with GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet on June 12, 2022

GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet is the latest addition, making this race the fourth in France on the GFNY calendar. Scheduled for June 12, 2022, riders get to race the iconic Col du Tourmalet (2115m) in the Pyrenees. It’s the most used mountain pass by the Tour de France since it was used the first time in 1910 – and again just today Thursday in this year’s race.

The pilgrimage town of Lourdes will be the host town and provide expo, start and finish to the riders. Lourdes is nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees and world famous for its spiritual pilgrimages.

The course starts from the historical town hall in Lourdes, but the setting quickly changes from urban roads to mountain views. Riders will use the minor and gradual incline along the first 25 km to warm up before tackling the intimidating Col du Tourmalet. From Luz Saint Sauveur, the road climbs for 18.3 km with an altitude gain of 1400m (average gradient 7.6%, maximum gradient 9.5%) to the top of the 2115m col.

After a fast descent off Col du Tourmalet and crossing Bagnères-de-Bigorre, riders will race the last third of the course across the Pyreneean foothills on quiet roads over the smaller yet demanding Col de Saoucède and Cote de Germs. The race ends back in Lourdes where it started.

“It’s a dream for us to add a GFNY in the amazing Pyrenees – and over Col du Tourmalet no less,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “This is made possible by the tremendous support of the town of Lourdes which is the ideal base not only for the race but also for the one week camp before the race. The combination of the town with its attractions and amenities with the quiet and wild Pyrenees mountain is ideal to spend a week or two of vacation, whether just for cycling or to combine cycling with other activities.”

Website: lourdes.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Peru video: here
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY Peru decided in sprint after 128 km high-altitude racing around Cusco

Written by jenna on .

Ecuadorian Patricia Paredes and Peruvian Andre Gonzales top the podium

Andre Gonzales (Peru) took the win in a close 2-man chase with Alonzo Gamero at GFNY Peru in the Andean mountains this past Sunday. After having raced almost 100 km in an extremely high-altitude setting with start and finish in Cusco, the race was to be decided only after riders tackled the difficult last 19.5 km long climb of the course.

The leading duo who escaped the peloton on the last mountain battled against each other during the last 7 km descent into Cusco, with the final sprint ultimately leading to Gonzales taking the overall win. Only a bike length behind, Gamero took second and Pierre Tupayachi (Peru) rounded out the podium. The rest of the field finished in small groups as the race was so challenging that there was no large peloton crossing the finish line. GFNY Peru was expectedly just as hard as it was beautiful.

Gonzales punched his ticket for the GFNY World Championship in NYC in May where he will race a course that’s quite different from the one in the Peruvian highlands. Having reigned supreme in a course this tough, he will be closely watched for the World Championship title.

In the women’s race, Ecuadorian Patricia Paredes took the win in 4:24:30, almost eight minutes ahead of Peruvian Romina Medrano. Caroline Lindsey (Peru) came in third place.

GFNY now heads from the Andes back to the French Alps for GFNY Alpes Vaujany on August 29 and a course that includes the legendary Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon.

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Peru video: here
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

GFNY Peru: high altitude racing on Incan grounds

Written by jenna on .

Riders will experience a majestic and extremely fun course in the Peruvian Andes, on July 11, 2020

As race season commences, GFNY Endurance Sports Series continues with the inaugural GFNY Peru where two amazing routes will challenge riders in different ways this weekend, Sunday, July 11.

GFNY Peru presents two distance options: a long route of  135km long and a (non-competitive) medium route of 70km long. Both include a tough climb, a long descent and flat sections, all with the added challenge of high altitude racing above 3000m.

The host village of Cusco is an old Incan city located in the Peruvian Andes. Both routes cross various archaeological Incan ruins and landscapes, such as The Sacred Valley and Puka Pukara.

“We’re excited to add yet another race in the Andes, this time GFNY’s first in Peru. And what a location it is,” says GFNY President Lidia Fluhme.”

Website: peru.gfny.com

GFNY will be back again at the end of August for the second annual GFNY Alpes Vaujany: same start/finish as GFNY La Vaujany but a completely different course with the two giants of Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon. The week leading up to the race, the GFNY Camp offers relaxed riding up all the famous cols.

Website: vaujany.gfny.com

 

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.

Cycling

20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.

GFNY World Championship NYC

The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

GFNY Peru video: here
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Jenna van der Heide, 
Uli Fluhme, 

Chapter 3: The GFNY Europe 2021 Camp experience

Written by Chris on June 29, 2021.

 

Chapter 3 of the GFNY Europe 2021 travel guide series prepares you for what the GFNY Camp experience is all about. During each 1-week camp, you will preview sections of the race course and prepare for the specific type of cycling you are going to be taking on during the race. Cycling in the destination’s topography and climate in the lead up to the race will give you the confidence and fitness to have the best raceday experience possible. Arriving a week early will give your body time to recover from the travel and jet lag and acclimatize to have a great race.

Don’t forget to bring the right equipment! Check whether changing gearing would be a good option for you, put on new tires and bring the right cycling & casual clothing for all kinds of weather. If you have preferred sports nutrition, bring it with you.

GFNY’s Ambassador Chris Geiser shares his advice and experiences to help you have a smooth experience traveling to Europe in 2021 for the cycling experience of a lifetime.

 

This is for you if you…

  • are exploring a trip to a GFNY Europe race in 2021
  • have travelled to Europe but need to understand the ”new normal” associated with trave
  • have not travelled extensively to Europe and look for a few tips
  • just need an ”easy” button on finding the resources you need to be able to travel with confidence

 

           

In case you missed it:

Listen to the podcast:

Daily coffee with GFNY – How to travel in 2021 to Europe for GFNY

 

 

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

 

 

Get Your Running Shoes Ready! // GFNY Gruppo News #54

In today’s show:

Welcome to GFNY GRUPPO, a channel made to bring to you all the news about the GFNY world.

  • Our Ambassador Valerie, from GFNY Florida Marathon gave us super helpful tips for marathon training.
  • Don’t miss the chance to participate on the giveaway to win an entry for the GFNY Florida Marathon!

 

 

Chapter 2: Travel to GFNYs in Europe 2021

 

This video is about planning ground connections in Europe. GFNY’s Ambassador Chris Geiser shares his advice and experiences to help you have a smooth experience traveling to Europe in 2021 for the cycling experience of a lifetime.

 

Chapter 2 of the GFNY Europe 2021 travel guide series talks about planning ground connections and journey legs. Is it better for you to fly direct to a major airport that’s further away, or land in another European city and connect to a closer airport? What are the things to consider when renting a car?

 

This is for you if you…

  • are exploring a trip to a GFNY Europe race in 2021
  • have travelled to Europe but need to understand the ”new normal” associated with travel
  • have not travelled extensively to Europe and look for a few tips
  • just need an ”easy” button on finding the resources you need to be able to travel with confidence

           

 

In case you missed it:

Listen to the podcast:

Daily coffee with GFNY – How to travel in 2021 to Europe for GFNY

 

 

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

 

 

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